Had an interesting conversation with Phil Hemingway at the Iowa City Farmer’s Market July 2nd. I’ve known Phil for decades — he was our go-to auto mechanic for many years. He’s now running for Johnson County Board of Supervisors for the fifth time. He’s a Republican, and I’m a left-wing progressive-to-radical. I asked him about […]
Letters
Letter to the editor: Iowa City-area clergy recognize the sacred right to choose an abortion
On June 24, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a person’s right to choose an abortion and maintain bodily autonomy is not a protected right under the U.S. Constitution. As a group of local clergy persons representing various traditions and communities, we maintain that a pregnant person’s right to choose an abortion is a […]
Letter to the editor: Iowa needs a new U.S. Senator
By Ellen Ballas, Iowa City Iowa needs a new U.S. Senator: Mike Franken. Americans want gun safety laws. Included in the bipartisan Senate bill: closing the boyfriend loophole and expanding background checks for buyers 18-21 years old. It’s a good start. Voting against the “Bipartisan Safer Communities Act,” Senator Grassley seems confused about gun safety […]
Letter to the editor: Miller-Meeks is failing Iowans again on gun safety
By Don Paulson, Letts Republican U.S. Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks is failing Iowans again. She has said she would not support recent proposals to deal with gun violence. Miller-Meeks voted “no” on the Protecting Our Kids Act, the Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act, and the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act. Last year she even voted against […]
Letters to the editor: Demand comprehensive, common sense gun legislation
By Pat Bowen, Iowa City Poll after poll shows that people want stricter gun laws, including gun owners. Americans have shown consistently they want common sense, comprehensive gun laws. Thoughts and prayers have not worked. When something doesn’t work, it’s time to do something else. If definition of insanity is doing the same thing over […]
Letter to the editor: The system is broken. Time to get organized.
By Ash Ayers, Iowa City We are facing many issues as a community and as a society. Wages are too low, rents are too high, abortion rights are under attack, climate change accelerates every day, and fascism is on the rise. The only way that we can address these issues is through organizing together in […]
Letter to the editor: Support pro-solar candidates in Johnson County
By Ariel Godwin, Iowa City Summer has barely begun, and Iowa City has already had multiple days with highs above 90 degrees. We can expect more days like these — along with floods, droughts, and frequent heavy rainstorms — if we don’t wake up to the dangers of climate change and find a solution. One […]
Letter to the editor: Iowans need a voice, not a parrot
By Paul Deaton, Iowa City It’s time to elect a Democrat in the First Congressional District, one that will listen to voters after arriving in Washington. That person is Democrat Christina Bohannan. With the close election of Nov. 3, 2020, decided April 1, 2021 when Rita Hart withdrew her contest from the House Committee on […]
Letter to the editor: Charles Grassley, ‘champion’ of the gun lobby
By Trish Nelson, Iowa City Sadly for Iowans, the gun lobby, in April, named Senator Grassley “Legislator of the Year,” calling Grassley a “champion of the firearm and ammunition industry on Capitol Hill.” Minutes after President Biden addressed our nation about the gun violence that is devastating American families, a shooter opened fire on two […]
Letter to the editor: Pat Heiden endorses Seth Zimmermann for Johnson County Supervisor
By Pat Heiden, Johnson County Supervisor I enthusiastically endorse Seth Zimmermann for Johnson County Supervisor. As a lifelong resident of Johnson County, Seth will bring a valuable perspective to the Board of Supervisors especially in the area of environmentally focused initiatives. Seth also understands the importance of community service and collectively working toward the greater […]
Letter to the ICCSD board: Period products should be free and accessible in schools
By Sara Brenneman, Iowa City Dear ICCSD School Board, I have been a woman in the school district for 11 years. For six of those I have lacked feminine hygiene products when needed, which feels incredibly unjustified and unfair. I believe it is time for a change. Schools need to supply feminine hygiene products in […]
Letter to the editor: Supervisor Jon Green has shown his worth
By Bob Arbuckle, Iowa City In his first year on the Johnson County Board of Supervisors, Jon Green has proven to be a strong progressive voice that strives to make the county stronger and safer by upholding our best community values. We need Jon on the Board for a full four-year term. In response to […]

